So my car shudders really bad when I brake. It started with a slight vibration when braking due to what I assumed was my rotors. But recently the shudder has been pretty harsh which I can feel on my brake pedals and I can hear a thumping noise too.

While taking off my front whjeels today, I noticed this bolt that did not seem to have a not on top. All I see is a washer which is pushed way out on top. Is this normal ?

I am going to remove the other wheel a little later and see if its identical, but I got some pictures last night from my phone cam and though will try to ask the forum while I am at work.

Here are the pictures. Is this normal? Could this be the reason for the noise and shudder?

Thanks.

 

Sorry but can't see pictures!

 

Adding pictures on photobucket. Hops this works:

 

That is the bolt you use to adjust ride height - there's one on each end of the leaf spring. It's normal-looking on yours and appears someone backed it off to lower yours.

 

Looks like the lock washer on the front suspension leaf spring. Normal. No nut. My Z06 is the same way.

 

I believe that bolt is part of a bumper attached from the other side of the sway bar.

 

Thanks all. Good news is that it is normal.

Bad news is I still don't know if it is just the bad rotors or something else is screwed up which makes the car shudder like crazy when braking and ALSO makes this thud-thud noise when braking or going at very high speeds.

We will see once I replace my rotors and pads if this persists.

Thanks.

 

does the noise seem to come from the front or rear? how do your pads and rotors look? any play in the hubs? how about your tires?

 

Bad rotors will do that when braking, but won't at high speed if not using brakes. Wheel bearing maybe?

 

From the picture the rotor appears fine. But we only see a piece of it. Might need to see more pictures, mic the rotor fronts MINIMUM thickness is 30.6mm, discard rotor after 30.3mm, rears 24.9mm, and discard after 24.5mm. Depends on the state of the pad. I would not advise resurfacing or turning a rotor. They are inexpensive around $90 just replacement them. (That is another story, requires more muscle LOL)

Perform an inspection of the other parts. Check alignment. Pedal feeling and thumping noise don't sound good. However it could be just worn pads.

Remember you can drop in new pads without opening the hydraulic system. Just drain out about half the fluid monitor it as you compress the cylinders (use C clamps) so the master doesn't over flow. Remove old pads drop in new, clean pin and re-install. Rear's mount a little different with two caliper guide pin bolts. Both are torqued to 31Nm. Replenish the fluid, and with the key OFF, push the pedal about 2/3 travel slowly release, wait 15 seconds and pump 11-12 times until firm pedal (that properly seats the pads). Burnish your pads. That means before you use them, go out in your local area accelerate to 30 and bring the vehicle to a firm stop, repeat this over and over until you reach 20 times. Do not allow the brake to lock. Return and allow brakes to cool down. Now it is ready. If you time it right, go out in the evening to burnish the brakes LOL less traffic.

Oh, brand new rotor thickness is 32mm front and 26mm rear.

 

if you pump the pedal after doing each caliper, there is no need to drain/refill the fluid, unless you have too much to begin with

 

The car has only 26k miles on it and its depressing that I need new rotors already.

When I brake, the brake catches and releases per tire rotation so I am guessing its the rotor ??? I can see its about time to get new pads since mine are pretty worn out. Could it just be the pads ?

With the tires out, I do not see any play in the rotors at all. I recently got new tires and that did not solve the problem.

I am going to get new pads and stuff next week. For now, I am headed to a road trip in two days to Vancouver, BC from Portland and I am hoping I would survive. I am still worried about the thumping since two days ago on my trip to Seattle, I did a little speeding and I could hear the same noise at 90mph.

Thanks all.

 

I'd do an inspection for the noise before I took off on a trip. But that's just me.

26K and you need brakes and rotors! I'm gathering this is a fairly new car for you?

Is it auto or 6-speed? Someone is surely using brakes up. Rotor's should go farther than that.

 

ok, now it makes sense - i just dealt with the same exact problem - turned out that the pads were too aggressive and the tires were shot - race pads + rock hard ps2s with 35k miles and less than 1/32nd of tread. I put my track tires on and problem was gone

 

I bought the car a year and a half ago and then it had only 8k miles on them. So yeah, I am the one eating up the brakes I suppose ... Its a daily driver for me so ...

I will call to check if Les Shwaabs can do a brake job today. If not, I will take care of it when I am back. Don't have time to do it myself

 

Well my tires are new so that should not be the issue.